Speed Study Updates
Speed Study Updates for both Lake and Flathead Counties on Highway 93.
Rollins Speed Study:
The Transportation Commissioners approved the MDT recommended speed limit change to 65mph beginning around 490-feet north of the intersection with Northaire Lane and continuing north to Milepost 93, just north of the entrance to West Shore State Park and Glacier Camp.
Rebecca Franke received the finalized signing plans and sent out the installation work order. Signage should be installed by the end of the month.
You can hear a recording of the Transportation Commissioners meeting on our YouTube Channel. HERE
Lakeside/Somers Speed Study:
This speed study was originally requested on September 12, 2022. Data was to be collected in the summer of 2023. Due to highway construction, the speed study was pushed back. The data was collected on August 2, 2023. A report from MDT with recommendations can take many months. We will keep you posted but expect to see the report around spring of 2024.
Elmo to Dayton Speed Study:
A speed study was requested on August 3, 2023, from Elmo to Dayton. The MDT Speed Study Map shows that the data was collected on September 10, 2023. Again we will keep you posted.
August 2, 2023 Rollins Speed Study Update
Rollins Speed Study - August 24th Final Review
The Montana Transportation Commission will be making a decision on the Rollins Speed Study during their meeting on August 24th. Even if you sent in comments to the Lake County Commissioners, we encourage you to send new comments to the Transportation Commissioners as your previous comments will NOT be forwarded.
In July during the Lake County Commissioners meeting, they stated that they'd received a number of comments in favor of lowering the speed limit more than the MDT recommended change. On July 10th they submitted a letter to Rebecca Franke requesting the speed limit be lowered from 70 mph to 55 mph from 490 feet north of the intersection of Northaire Lane to mile marker 93.
We requested the documents from the Transportation Commission and noticed that the letter from MDT dated July 11th had the requested speed limit as 50mph and the Agenda item also reflects 50mph. We have reached out to Lori Ryan and Rebecca Franke about this possible typo.
Additionally, the July 11th letter from the Traffic and Safety Engineer states that they do NOT agree with the Lake County Commissioners. They provide more information on why they recommend the 65 mph speed limit.
The Rollins Speed Study was completed on March 27th. The report is available here. Speed Limit Recommendation US 93 (N-5) - Rollins
Public Comment is strongly encouraged whether you agree or disagree with the changes. We do not currently have a Transportation Commissioner for our district, which means the current Transportation Commissioners do NOT have an understanding of our traffic concerns. The Transportation Commissioners can approve, deny or even modify the Lake County Commissioners' request.
You can send your comments to:
vipreagle@gmail.com - Shane Sanders, District 2
Loran.Frazier@tdhengineering.com - Loran Frazier - Chair, District 3
sansaver@hotmail.com - Noel Sandsaver, District 4
scott@performance-ec.com - Scott Aspenlieder, District 5
lryan@mt.gov - Lori Ryan, Commission Secretary
We have asked Lori for the Zoom information and will share that once available.
June 27, 2023 MDT Lakeside Update
MDT sent out a Lakeside Update on June 27th. On June 28th MDT staff were spotted beginning the lead and asbestos mitigation on the Quonset Hut in Lakeside. Please read below for the full update. Reach out to Joan Redeen jredeen@mt.gov if you have questions, or concerns, or wish to make sure you are on a contact list about the public auctions.
Link to the MCA, Conduct of Sale: https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0600/chapter_0040/part_0020/section_0030/0600-0040-0020-0030.html
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The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to inform those interested in the Alpine Coaster development off US Highway 93 in Lakeside that the roadway improvements associated with the shared use approach have been substantially completed.
On June 27, 2023, MDT performed a final inspection and acceptance of the improvements, including, northbound left turn lane, culvert replacement and extensions, seal and cover, interim pavement striping, temporary roadside seeding, shared use approach construction and the removal of two additional approaches. As a result of the substantial completion and acceptance, the shared use approach is permitted for commercial use. Final pavement striping and final roadside seeding will be performed in the coming months which follows MDT’s standard construction specifications.
Environmental abatement is currently being performed on the Quonset Hut and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the week. Following the environmental abatement, MDT will advertise the Quonset Hut for sale following MCA 60-4-203. Following the sale of the Quonset Hut, MDT will allow a reasonable time to remove it from the site and reclaim the affected area.
We expect this to be the final update you will receive from MDT in regard to this project.
Joan Redeen
Executive Assistant - Communications | District 1 Missoula
Montana Department of Transportation
2100 W Broadway
Missoula MT59808
406-396-1978 | jredeen@mt.gov
Follow Us: mdt.mt.gov
June 4, 2023 Rollins Speed Study Update
Rollins Speed Study - Action Needed - From UWSA Newsletter
The Rollins Speed Study was completed on March 27th. The report is available here. Speed Limit Recommendation US 93 (N-5) - Rollins
MDOT presented the finalized report to the Lake County Commissioners on May 16th which started a 60-day public comment period. After 60 days the Lake
County Commissioners will give their recommendation to MDOT either as a concurrence with their finding or a recommendation otherwise. We suggest comments get submitted to the Commissioners before July 1st so they have time to formulate their response.
The Lake County Commissioners need your comments in writing.
Please send your comments to:
lakecommissioners@lakemt.gov
106 4th Avenue E, Room 211
Lake County Courthouse
Polson, MT 59860
What should your letter include? Ultimately this is up to you.
- Do you agree with the MDOT recommendations?
- Do you think the speed limit should be higher or lower than the MDOT recommendations?
- Do you agree with the start and end of the updated speed limit or do you recommend changes?
- Tapered Speed Limits near Rollins??
What are the changes MDOT recommended?
- Lower the speed limit from 70mph to 65mph beginning around 490-feet north of the intersection with Northaire Lane and continuing north to milepost 93, just north of the entrance to West Shore State Park and Glacier Camp.
June 1, 2023 MDT Lakeside Update
9am Correction/Clarification
from: Cotton, Brittany <bcotton@mt.gov>
CORRECTION/ CLARIFICATION:
All,
MDT would like to inform those interested in the Alpine Coaster development off US93 in Lakeside that the approach and encroachment permits for this project have completed MDT’s Systems Impact Action Process (SIAP) review. The permits was forwarded to our MDT Kalispell Maintenance Chief for final review, approval and issuance on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Please note that the developer of this project will establish and maintain an active public information program to provide information to the traveling public during Highway Construction.
Thank you,
Brittany Cotton
8:45am Original email
from: Cotton, Brittany <bcotton@mt.gov>
All,
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to in Systems Impact Action Process (SIAP) review. The permits were forwarded to MDT’s Kalispell Maintenance Chief for final review, approval and issuance on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Please note that the developer of this project will establish and maintain an active public information program to provide information to the traveling public, residents, and businesses during construction activity within MDT right-of-way.
Thank you,
Brittany Cotton
May 12, 2023 Update on Rollins Speed Study
The Rollins Speed Study was completed on March 27th. - From UWSA Newsletter
The report is available here.
Speed Limit Recommendation US 93 (N-5) - Rollins
The Montana Department of Transportation will present the finalized report to the Lake County Commissioners on May 16th at 10 am.
Following the meeting with MDOT, there will be a 60-day comment period, at which time the public can submit comments on the speed study.
The meeting will be open to the public. You can reach out to the Lake County Commissioners' office if you have questions about the meeting. Email lakecommissioners@lakemt.gov or call 406-883-7204.
MDOT recommends the following changes:
- No change to existing statutory 70-mph speed limit prior to approx 490-feet north of the intersection with Northaire Lane.
- A 65-mph speed limit beginning approx 490- feet north of the intersection with Northaire Lane (straight-line station 70+00) and continuing north to milepost 93 (straight-line station 1538+50), an approx distance of 6.61 miles.
- No change to the existing statutory 70-mph speed limit continuing north of milepost 93. Another speed study was requested to be conducted during the summer of 2023 extending north from this point through the community of Lakeside.
The full schedule for the Lake County Commissioners May 15-19 is attached HERE.
Speed Studies in Progress
Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition. You've helped make a difference.
Two Speed Studies have been requested.
- Lake County/Rollins Speed Study from Mile Marker (MM) 86 to MM 90.
- Flathead County/ Somers & Lakeside Speed Study from MM 104 to MM 93.
Flathead County Commissioners have also requested a Pedestrian Study for Lakeside.
Read more about this in our blog post dated Sept 30, 2022
Please sign and share our petition to help preserve and protect the safety of Lakeside, Flathead Lake, and the Highway 93 Corridor https://www.change.org/MontanaHighway93Corridor
The UWSA continues to advocate for local residents and highway users with concerns about safety and freedom of movement on Highway 93. As necessary we are also consulting with traffic engineering experts to help us all understand and navigate the needs and rights of all the impacted property owners and highway users.
We feel that all motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians should feel safe as they enjoy our lovely communities and natural wonders.
Statement
The Upper West Shore Alliance is not opposed to the concept of an Alpine Coaster. We do have concerns about its safety and environmental impact on this sensitive section of Highway 93 and Flathead Lake. We are currently acting on the behalf of the local residents of Somers and Lakeside who have reached out to us with questions and concerns. Acting as a liaison on their behalf with DEQ, MDT, and field experts & consultants to make sure their concerns are being adequately addressed.